Minivan vs. SUV: Which One Should You Buy?

Minivan or SUV in Johnson City TN

Minivan vs. SUV: Which One Should You Buy?

Selecting a family car is a bit difficult due to many reasons. After all, you need a car that can accommodate six to seven adults and it should also be child-friendly. Most families opt for a minivan or SUV. Selecting between these two types of cars can be difficult as there is not much difference in terms of passenger space and other features. Read the advantages and disadvantages of both to make an informed decision.

SUV: Pros and Cons

Most SUVs are built strong and have a heavier frame. They also offer good passenger space and you will have enough room to seat up to the eight passengers in most. The SUV also has good cargo space and you can increase it by folding the second- and third-row seats. The SUV has a higher ground clearance which means you have a better view of the road and the obstacles in the front. Most SUVs have four-wheel drive which gives them good off-road capabilities. A higher ground clearance also means you can drive it on rugged terrain without worrying about damage to the undercarriage. You can also drive an SUV safely through small puddles or flooded areas. The SUV also has good towing capabilities which means it can support your hobbies that need towing like fishing, camping or boating.

Some of the drawbacks of the SUV are the higher ground clearance causes difficulty for children to get in and out of the vehicle, especially small kids. Also, it is difficult to load and unload cargo due to the higher ground clearance. The higher ground clearance affects the handling of the vehicle in a negative way as well.

Minivan: Pros and Cons

The minivan is a practical family car due to many reasons. It has low ground clearance which ensures even your smallest kid can get in and out of the car with ease. The minivan has three rows of seating which can comfortably seat six to seven passengers. The minivan has several storage spaces and some models also have storage in the floor that is ideal for stowing smaller bags so that you have more passenger space. If you have fewer passengers traveling and more luggage, you can fold the second- and third-row seats flat to extend the storage space. Minivans with their lighter frame are more fuel-efficient than the SUV. The minivan also has a sliding door that opens wide which makes getting in and out easy for passengers and also makes loading and unloading of luggage easy. The sliding door has its own advantages as it is easy to get in or out of the car in tight parking lots.

Some of the drawbacks of the minivan are that you have few models to choose from. It can be hard to find a minivan with all-wheel drive or one that runs on diesel. The low ground clearance and lack of all-wheel drive limits its off-road capabilities. The low ground clearance also means you cannot drive the minivan on rugged terrain and there might be some serious undercarriage damage if you do so.